UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11 May 2024

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 3:

• Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Cybersecurity

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

• Jim Simmons

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Mammoth (World’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant)

• Hague Convention

• Reports in News

• ICMR dietary guidelines

• Neural Processing Units (NPUs)

Mapping

• Places in News

Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Cybersecurity

#### Gs Paper 3

Syllabus: Internal Security: Cybersecurity

Source: TH

Context: In the era of AI, cybersecurity is paramount to protect against rising threats posed by generative AI misuse, necessitating collaborative solutions for safe digital navigation.

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity encompasses strategies and measures aimed at protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches. It involves safeguarding against threats such as hacking, malware, phishing, and other malicious activities that can compromise digital information and systems.

Evolving nature and increasing sophistication of cyber threats.

• New targets: While there has been a decreased trend of attacks on end users attacks on enterprises and SMEs are increasing.

• New forms of technology: New types of malware, such as automated phishing tools and crypto mining software combined with emerging technologies, are expanding the cyber risk landscape. A host of digital technologies, such as AI, automated botnets, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing facilitate sophisticated attacks.

• A host of digital technologies, such as AI, automated botnets, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing facilitate sophisticated attacks.

• Potential Unwanted Programs (PUP) and Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), masquerading as legitimate apps, are increasingly used to victimize users.

• Using Cryptocurrency: g., In Dec 2021, botnet Phorpiex hijacked hundreds of cryptocurrency transactions in India, Ethiopia and Nigeria. The bot has attacked 969 transactions and has stolen crypto assets worth almost $0.5 million.

• The botnet used a new attack method called crypto-clipping that steals cryptocurrency including bitcoin, Ethereum and dogecoin during a transaction, by substituting the original wallet address saved in the clipboard with the attacker’s wallet address.

• Since many enterprises are shifting their infrastructure to cloud-based platforms, i.e., to data centres, the attackers would target those platforms at an increasing rate.

• For instance – There have already been several reports of attacks or attempted attacks on Microsoft’s Office 365 platform.

• Supply chain attacks, such as those used in the NotPetya malware campaign, can be penetrative and lethal.

AI is impacting cybersecurity in several ways:

• Increased Phishing Attacks: Phishing emails surged by 1,265%, and credential theft rose by 967% since late 2022 due to AI.

• Voice Cloning for Fraud: Hackers imitated a mother’s daughter’s voice to extort money, highlighting the risks of AI-based scams.

• Enhanced Hacking Sophistication: AI helps hackers translate code, identify vulnerabilities, and amplify attacks.

• Rising Attacks on Organizations: 75% of professionals reported more cyberattacks last year, while 85% linked the trend to AI.

• Privacy Erosion: Voice-activated toys and biometric systems threaten individual privacy.

• Cybercrime: According to data from CERT-IN, cyber crimes in India have witnessed a 572% increase In the last 3 Years

Reasons for increasing cyber threats in India from AI:

• Fragmented cybersecurity infrastructure: Responsibility for cybersecurity in India is spread across various government agencies and private entities, leading to a lack of coordinated strategies.

• Apathy towards data privacy: Despite the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, implementation of secure cyber systems by private and government entities is lacking, as seen in the recent PayTM payments bank ban.

• Large digital divide: Many lack digital literacy, making them vulnerable to phishing attacks and scams.

• Skill shortage: India lacks qualified cybersecurity professionals, hindering effective threat detection and response.

Countermeasures taken by India against cyber threats.

• For Critical information infrastructure (CII)- Creation of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre, the national nodal agency in respect of CII protection. It was envisaged to act as a 24×7 centre to battle cyber security threats in strategic areas such as air control, nuclear and space.

• Establishment of Defence Information Assurance and Research Agency for cyber security issues of the tri-services and Defence Ministry.

• For the Financial sector – CERT-Fin will work closely with all financial-sector regulators and stakeholders on issues of cyber security.

• Establishment of cyber security infrastructure

• CERT-in – The main function of CERT-In is to provide early security warning and effective incident response. It is also a national agency to collects, analyzes and disseminates information on cyber incidents and takes emergency measures for handling cyber-attacks.

• IT Act 2000 – This act provides a legal framework against cybercrimes related to “electronic commerce”.

• National Cyber Security Policy 2013 has been framed to create a secure cyber ecosystem, ensure compliance with global security systems and strengthen the regulatory framework.

• Others

• I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center) was set up in 2016 to look into every kind of cybercrime.

• The Indian Common Criteria Certification Scheme (IC3S)is to evaluate and certify IT Security Products and Protection Profiles.

• Cyber Swachhta Kendra was introduced for internet users to clean their computers and devices by wiping out viruses and malware.

• Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative was launched to spread awareness about cybercrime and build capacity for safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across all government departments.

Global Effort: Bletchley Declaration:

The Bletchley Declaration, named after the historic code-breaking site, signifies a global commitment to addressing AI’s ethical and security challenges, particularly generative AI. Signed at the AI Safety Summit (in 2023), it highlights the increasing global recognition of AI risks and involves major world powers like China, the EU, India, and the US.

Measures need to be taken:

By individuals

• Apply critical security patches, especially on public-facing servers, and keep end-point security software up-to-date.

• Ignore emails from unknown sources, thus avoiding becoming a victim of phishing and spear phishing attacks.

• Use complex passwords (not to mention, change passwords regularly).

By government

• Strengthen cybersecurity agencies and partnerships.

• Invest in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.

• Promote digital literacy and awareness.

• Establish robust cybersecurity laws.

• Develop cybersecurity skills through training.

Conclusion

Even though the government has taken various measures to curb cyber-attacks, recent cyber threat incidents like the Pegasus cyber-attack, attack on India’s COWIN app etc show loopholes in India’s cyber security framework. Research and development, Funding and capacity building in cyber security are the need of the hour for GOI.

Various types of Cybeerserucity threats:

Category | Description

Cybercrime | Mainly targeted against individuals, firms, etc. Involves the use of computers or networks in the execution of a crime or as the target.

E.g., a Malware attack on the City Union Bank’s SWIFT system in March 2020 led to unauthorised transactions worth USD 2 million.

Cyber warfare | Consists of attacks on the computer systems of a country or its institutions to disrupt, damage, or destroy infrastructure.

For the Cyberattack on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

Cyber spying | Involves obtaining secrets and information without permission or knowledge from individuals, groups, or governments for personal, economic, political, or military advantage using methods on the Internet, networks, or individual computers via proxy servers.

For ex- Operation Side Copy, a cyber espionage campaign targeted Indian military and diplomatic personnel with malware and phishing emails.

Cyber terrorism | Defined as premeditated, politically motivated attacks against information systems, programs, and data that threaten or result in violence.

Illegal data mining | Involves unauthorized extraction of valuable data for economic gain from the vast amounts of data generated by growing online transactions.

Insta Links:

• Cybersecurity Challenges in India

Mains Link:

Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber-attacks. Also, discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks. (UPSC 2021)

Prelims Link:

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC 2020)

• Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

• Create meaningful short stories and songs

• Disease diagnosis

• Text-to-Speech Conversion

• Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: B

Jim Simmons

#### Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: LM

Context: Jim Simmons passed away recently.

The world believed that there was only one way to make money in the stock market, and that was fundamental analysis (and not technical analysis). While many traders in the past achieved solid outperformance without fundamental analysis, Jim Simmons (an American hedge fund manager, mathematician, and philanthropist) stood out because he did it with a large hedge fund.

Benjamin Graham (fundamental king) said, “People who invest make money for themselves; people who speculate (referred to as short-term trading using technical analysis) make money for their brokers.”

If Jim had blindly believed that short-term trading could not make money, we would not have Jim Simmons in this world.

The lesson is to always be open and receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things.

Billionaire investor James Simons was also known as the “Quant King” for his pioneering use of computer signals in trading decisions. Simons, founder of Renaissance Technologies LLC, transitioned from mathematics and intelligence work to becoming a Wall Street legend. His firm, Renaissance, achieved extraordinary success with its Medallion Fund, known for its high returns and low risk.

Mammoth (World’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant)

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ThinkGeoEnergy

Context: The world’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant, Mammoth, has commenced operations in Iceland.

This Swiss company Climeworks’ second commercial DAC+S facility surpasses its predecessor, Orca, in size.

What is a Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant?

Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) is a technology designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere at any location. It is a form of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technology, distinct from carbon capture methods typically carried out at the point of emissions. The captured CO2 can then be permanently stored in deep geological formations or utilized for various applications. DAC+S plants aim to contribute to efforts to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere, addressing climate change concerns. ‘

Hague Convention

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: UNESCO

Context: UNESCO is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict

The Convention is the first legal framework solely dedicated to safeguarding movable and immovable heritage. It shields cultural property during both peace and conflict. With 135 member states, including India, the Convention and its 1954 and 1999 Protocols aim to protect cultural treasures, with the latter introducing the concept of Enhanced Protection for Cultural Properties.

Reports in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Reports | Description

WHO has released a progress report on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | It aims towards the 2021–2030 Roadmap for NTDs. The roadmap aims for significant reductions in disease burden, elimination of certain NTDs from multiple countries, and global eradication of dracunculiasis and yaws.

NTDs are a group of diverse infections caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that primarily affect populations in tropical and subtropical regions. These diseases often receive inadequate attention and resources, leading to limited research, diagnosis, and treatment options. Examples of NTDs include malaria, dengue fever, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, etc

Agritech: Shaping Agriculture in Emerging Economies, Today and Tomorrow | Released by the World Economic Forum (WEF)

This WEF report is part of its AI for Agriculture Innovation (AI4AI) initiative. This initiative aims to expand agritech services through public-private partnerships.

In India, initiatives like Agri Stack, Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX), and Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) are facilitating the adoption of agritech by providing essential datasets and digital platforms for farmer services.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) (HQ: Geneva, est. 1971; Founder: German engineer Klaus Schwab) is an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank

Amplifying the Global Value of Earth Observation Report | The report released by the World Economic Forum

Earth Observation (EO) technologies gather data about Earth’s natural and artificial features. EO includes remotely sensed data from satellites and in-situ data from sensors.

EO could also help reduce over 2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 through early warning systems and environmental impact monitoring.

Global initiatives like MethaneSAT and Allen coral Atlas aim to address these challenges and leverage EO for various purposes.

Beyond Import Reduction: Shaping the Future of India’s Toy Industry | Released by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI)

It proposes a comprehensive strategy to develop India’s toy industry and enhance exports. Measures to promote the local toy industry include increased import duties, quality control regulations, support schemes for toy clusters, and the National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT).

Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) is a research Group focused on Climate Change, technology and trade. GTRI aims to create high-quality and jargon-free outputs for governments and industry from the perspective of development and poverty reduction

RBI report on the link between Climate change and Monetary Policy Transmission | Climate change poses challenges to monetary policy transmission, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Monetary policy transmission refers to the process through which changes in the central bank’s monetary policy instruments, such as interest rates or reserve requirements, influence the broader economy, including inflation, output, and employment.

RBI’s report says that climate change directly affects inflation through adverse weather events, impacting agricultural production and global supply chains. Additionally, it can alter the Natural Rate of Interest (NRI) by undermining productivity and potential output due to extreme weather events.

To address these challenges, adopting a green taxonomy and incorporating climate risk into modelling frameworks are suggested as the way forward.

ICMR dietary guidelines

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) released 17 dietary guidelines emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity and diabetes.

Issues:

• Over 56% of India’s total disease burden is linked to unhealthy diets

• Vulnerable Groups: Optimal nutrition during critical periods like pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood is crucial. Alarming rates of lifestyle-related conditions among children and adolescents necessitate targeted interventions.

• Dual Nutrition Challenge: Micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia prevail among children aged 1 to 19, alongside rising obesity rates, indicating the dual challenge of undernutrition and overnutrition.

17 Dietary Guidelines include:

Dietary Guidelines

Eat a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet

Pregnant women and new mothers should have access to extra food and healthcare

Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months; continue breastfeeding till two years and beyond

After six months of age, the infant should be fed homemade semi-solid complementary foods

Ensure adequate and appropriate diets for children and adolescents in health and sickness

Eat plenty of vegetables and legumes

Use oil/fats in moderation; choose a variety of oil seeds, nuts etc. to meet daily needs of fats and essential fatty acids

Obtain good quality proteins and essential amino acids; avoid protein supplements to build muscle mass

Adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent abdominal obesity, overweight and overall obesity

Be physically active, exercise regularly

Restrict salt intake

Consume safe and clean foods

Ensure appropriate pre-cooking and cooking methods are used

Drink plenty of water

Minimize the consumption of ultra-processed foods and high-fat, sugar, salt

Prioritize nutrient-rich foods in the diets of elderly people

Read information on food labels

About ICMR:

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (founded 1911; HQ: New Delhi) is India’s top biomedical research organization, responsible for formulating, coordinating, and promoting medical research. Its mission includes conducting and implementing medical research for societal benefit and translating innovations into public health solutions. Funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Neural Processing Units (NPUs)

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BS

Context: Recently, Apple launched the M4 chip with the iPad Pro. Its key feature includes a 16-core Neural Engine which is equivalent to an NPU.

Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are specialized processors designed for accelerating machine learning operations, crucial for AI tasks like speech recognition and image processing.

Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are specialized processors designed to accelerate neural network processes, crucial for machine learning algorithms. They excel in AI-related tasks like speech recognition and image processing, enabling efficient handling of complex operations in consumer gadgets. NPUs play a crucial role in deploying AI-powered applications directly on hardware, enhancing performance in various devices.

CPU Vs GPU Vs NPU:

Feature | CPU (Central Processing Unit) | GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) | NPU (Neural Processing Unit)

Processing Method | Sequential computing | Parallel computing | Parallel computing

Ideal for | Sequential data processing, general computing | Graphics rendering, complex computations | Neural network and AI computations

Usage | Applications, systems operations | Graphics rendering, AI development stages | AI tasks, running refined AI models on devices

Efficiency | Moderate | High | High

Power Consumption | Moderate | High | Low

Optimization Focus | General computing | Graphics, complex computations | Neural network, AI computations

Places in News

#### Mapping

Places | Description

Cook Islands | The Cook Islands in association with New Zealand, is spearheading deep-sea mining exploration for minerals crucial in electric car batteries.

The Cook Islands, a self-governing island state, is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, with its capital at Avarua on Rarotonga Island. The Northern islands are low-lying coral atolls, while the Southern islands are larger and volcanic.

Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary | The National Green Tribunal has taken note of construction activities in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Assam’s Sonitpur district, it is part of the Sonitpur Kameng Elephant Reserve along with Nameri National Park. Recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, it boasts diverse fauna including Asian Elephants, Indian Bison, Leopards, and various deer species, and rich flora with different types of forests. The sanctuary is intersected by perennial rivers like Dolsiri, Gabharu, Gelgeli, Belsiri, and Sonairupai.

Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills | Despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal in 2014, all 26,000 abandoned rat-hole coal mines in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district remain operational.

Rat-hole mining involves narrow pits dug into the ground, primarily practised in Meghalaya due to the thinness of coal seams.

East Jaintia Hills district is a district with its headquarters at Khliehriat in Meghalaya state. The district was carved out of Jaintia Hills district on 31 July 2012. Khliehriat and Saipung are the two community and rural development blocks of the district.

Aravalli region | The Supreme Court has prohibited four states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat—from granting fresh mining leases in the Aravalli region.

This directive, based on a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), includes hills and a 100-meter-wide buffer zone around them.

The Aravalli Range, among the world’s oldest fold mountains, is home to diverse flora and fauna, with significant rivers originating from its slopes. However, it faces major threats such as illegal mining, deforestation, and undermining of the Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ) designation, particularly by Haryana.

NCZ is a protected area designation in Haryana. The 2021 Regional Plan passed by the NCR Planning Board zoned the entire Aravalli range in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan as NCZ